Classic Cars
From the U.K.

ROLLS ROYCE MOTOR CARS LIMITED

  The original company was formed in 1904 between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce and cars were originally produced in Derby, England.
Rolls had the engineering skills and Royce had a ready established dealership of cars so a short term (4 model) joint venture was agreed to. The partnership continued from there.
From 1931 to 2002, an acquisition of the Bentley range from that failed company, placed the two brands in a healthy competition with one another. Until 1959, all bodies were constructed by coachbuilders with only the chassis supplied by the company.
In 2003, BMW gained full control of the Rolls Royce automobile brand and continues to produce under that brand name from the factory in West Sussex, England. (*1)

The first successful production (in terms of numbers) was the Silver Ghost of 1906 to 1926. With a US$35 million price tag, I can't call this a collectible but it is worthy of its mention here. There were 7,784 units made with their 7036cc and 7428cc engines with 4 and 3 speed manuals. Production was shared between England and the factory in Massachusetts. While the original models were pained silver, this 1925 model depicts the toning introduced in later models.

Replacing the Silver Ghost in 1925 was the Phantom which, with so many independent coachbuilders, came in a variety of shapes and sizes, options and engineering alternatives. Up to 1931, 3512 (about 2 thirds with right hand drive) had been produced in 4 door sedan with 3 and 4 speed manual over a 7668cc straight 6. Of the many bodyworks, none better (?) than this 1927 Landaulette De Ville.

7,372 Silver Cloud were produced between 1955 and 1966 in three models. The Cloud I came only with a 4.9L i6, 4 door saloon while the next two models offered 2 and 4 door Saloon, Coupe and Convertible with a 6.2L V8. The Silver Cloud II outsold the other models with 2,417 but this 1964 Silver Cloud III with a smaller sales figure would be the preferable investment. Not quite the car that many people would be comfortable driving to the local supermarket, its collectibility is very limited.

Neither the Rolls Royce nor Bentley range have ever been sold in large quantities, mainly because of their price. While some cars may be more expensive, these two great marques have limited appeal as road cars. The last and equally relevant example is the Silver Shadow of 1965 to '80, whose production peak of 16,717 was the Shadow I.  The Silver Shadow II from 1977 to '80 included the 1974 model of major distinction and this 1977 model with 6750cc V8, 3 speed automatic which weighed just over 2 ton or 2.1 tonne.

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References
*1 - Wikipedia

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